“I’d be all stuffed up. My eyes would be all red and watery and puffy,” says Scott Chin, an allergy sufferer.

And if you’re among the millions of people like Scott who suffer with seasonal allergies, there are plenty of reasons to avoid going outside.

“Miserable this time of year,” Scott adds.

“I am seeing more people coming in with newly acquired allergic disease,” said Dr. John Costa, an allergist.

He says allergies are hitting harder and lasting longer.

“It’s not uncommon for patients to say, ‘Wow, this year is the worst I’ve had ever,’” explains Dr. Costa.

Now, researchers are looking into a possible link between global warming and the increase in allergies.

Dr. Christine Rogers says rising temperatures have plants flowering earlier, lengthening the allergy season by about two or three weeks. And she says warmer temperatures increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which also has a direct effect on plants.

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